The Samoa government will repatriate more than 100 seasonal workers from Australia who have breached conditions of employment ranging from absconding and excessive drinking to extramarital affairs.
Samoa Observer reports that a church pastor had assisted 10 seasonal workers to get the Australian 406 Visa which has now been repealed.
The Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Pulotu Lyndon Chu Ling said they try to resolve the issues internally but once things get serious they have to return the workers involved.
Some have been charged under Australian drinking and driving laws and are now trying to get legal representatives.
Pulotu said some have been given a chance to improve and change work attitudes and if there are changes, they will stay on but otherwise they will be sent back.
“The difficulty is the liaison officer has to find others to fill the gap and work under the approved employers by the Government,” Pulotu said.
He added the liaison officer is doing a great job to assist the workers and hope they won’t have more people on that list as try to accommodate the scheme and our people.
Pulotu said that the positives arising from the issues facing the seasonal workers scheme is that it will help them improve on delivering the programme.
